Foundation Home Loans Flexible Mortgages 2025 - Deal Direct

Introduction: Meeting the Needs of Modern Borrowers

Finding a mortgage can be challenging if your income doesn’t fit the “traditional” box. Foundation Home Loans is responding to this challenge with a fresh approach, specifically designed for UK clients earning income from several sources or structured in non-standard ways.

Their latest lending criteria updates open the door for contractors, the self-employed, and those with mixed incomes to access mortgage products more easily than ever before.

New Criteria: Smarter Lending for Complex Income

Foundation Home Loans has made several key enhancements to its lending criteria, aiming to assist those previously underserved by mainstream lenders:

  • Day-Rate Contractor Acceptance: Income assessments now include day-rate contractors. Instead of requiring lengthy contracts or rigid annual salary evidence, incomes derived from flexible, project-based work can be fully considered.
  • Only One Year’s Self-Employed Accounts Needed: Self-employed applicants often lack extensive trading history. Foundation Home Loans will now consider mortgage applications with just one year of self-employed income, enabling newer business owners to access lending faster.
  • Multiple Income Sources Recognised: The lender’s manual underwriting approach takes the full picture into account—PAYE salaries, rental income, dividends, and freelance earnings—ensuring a fair, realistic understanding of affordability for those with diverse income streams.

These updates collectively make Foundation Home Loans a flexible lender of choice for applicants with non-traditional income or employment setups.

Who Benefits from Foundation Home Loans’ Flexible Criteria?

  • Contractors: Those working on short-term, fixed-term, or day-rate contracts in sectors like IT, construction, media, or consulting.
  • Self-Employed & Sole Traders: Business owners with only one year’s set of accounts or newly established firms.
  • Applicants with Multiple Income Sources: Individuals who combine PAYE employment, property rental, freelance, or dividend income, whose true earning potential may not fit standard application forms.

This flexibility provides real borrowing opportunities for many UK applicants usually constrained by high-street lender rules.

What Makes Foundation Home Loans Different?

  • Manual Underwriting: Each case is assessed by an expert, not just a computer—ideal for borrowers needing a tailored approach.
  • Forward-Thinking Policy: Only one year’s trading history and day-rate flexibility make Foundation stand out among UK specialist lenders.
  • Case-by-Case Consideration: They can potentially say “yes” when others say no, benefitting clients with unique financial backgrounds.

Product Availability & Lending Area

Foundation Home Loans products are available for properties located in England, Wales, and Scotland. All applications are subject to their lending criteria and underwriting assessment. While specific rates or products are not detailed in this update, the availability for contractors and recent self-employed applicants is a major win for many seeking a competitive or specialist mortgage option.

Why Choose Foundation Home Loans for Your Mortgage?

  • Inclusive Criteria: Especially welcoming to those whose income doesn’t fit high street norms.
  • Faster Path for Entrepreneurs: Only one year’s trading history required versus the two or three often requested elsewhere.
  • Suitable for Mixed Incomes: Multiple income types—PAYE, rental, dividends, freelancing—are considered together for maximum borrowing power.

This makes Foundation Home Loans an attractive lender for modern borrowers navigating a changing UK job market and housing landscape.

Next Steps: Expert Advice for Complex Cases

If your income profile is too complex for mainstream lenders, Foundation Home Loans’ flexible approach could be the answer. Contact our expert mortgage advice team today for a free, no-obligation review of your options and tailored recommendations that fit your circumstances.

Ready to see if you qualify? Talk to us today for a personalised quote or to find out more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Who qualifies for Foundation Home Loans’ flexible income criteria?
    Any applicant who is self-employed with at least one year’s trading history, day-rate contractors, or those with multiple income sources such as PAYE, rental, or dividends.
  • How does accepting one-year’s self-employed income help me?
    It allows newly self-employed individuals or business owners to apply for a mortgage sooner, rather than waiting for two or three years of accounts.
  • Are day-rate contractors assessed differently from traditional employees?
    Yes. Foundation Home Loans will calculate your income based on your daily rate, not just annual salary or long-term contracts, potentially increasing your borrowing potential.
  • What if I have earnings from several sources?
    Foundation Home Loans’ manual underwriting will assess all your income streams together, creating a fair and accurate affordability assessment.
  • How do I apply or check if I’m eligible?
    Speak with our specialist mortgage advisers for a quick eligibility check and expert guidance on the next steps for your application.

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Written by

Lee Conway | Senior Mortgage Adviser

About the Author: Lee is a highly experienced mortgage adviser with a background in both retail banking and investment banking risk functions. After starting his career in middle office risk roles from 1996 to 2003, he transitioned to mortgage advice in 2004 after passing CeMAP. Lee also holds a CeFA qualification and has been with Deal Direct Financial Solutions since 2014, specialising in clear, dependable advice across a wide range of mortgage needs.

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